Summary: A study of Paul’s comments on "these things" in the book of 1 Timothy.

AS I READ THE LETTERS THAT PAUL WROTE TO TIMOTHY, I THINK ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP THAT THESE TWO MEN HAD.

PAUL, THE OLDER PASTOR, EXPERIENCED IN CHURCH STARTS, EXPERIENCED IN DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH, IS INSTRUCTING TIMOTHY, THE YOUNG, ENERGETIC MINISTER THAT LACKED A GREAT AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE.

AND AS I WATCH THE CONVERSATION DEVELOP OVER THE COURSE OF THESE LETTERS, I’M THANKFUL THAT GOD PRESERVED THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MY OWN USE.

BECAUSE BEING A SHEPHERD IS TOUGH, AND SOMETIMES SHEEP DON’T ACT THE WAY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO.

SO PAUL TAKES THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SOME THINGS WITH TIMOTHY THAT HE NEEDS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR.

AND THIS IS WHERE “THESE THINGS” COME FROM.

TAKE YOUR BIBLE AND TURN TO THE BOOK OF 1ST TIMOTHY, CHAPTER 4.

LET’S READ VERSES 7-11

STAND – READ – PRAY

AS WE READ THESE VERSES, WE SEE PAUL DRAWING FROM HIS EXPERIENCE TO WARN THIS YOUNG PASTOR ABOUT THINGS THAT HE WILL ENCOUNTER AS HE MINISTERS AMONG GOD’S PEOPLE.

AND WHETHER YOUR CALLED TO VOCATIONAL MINISTRY OR NOT, THESE ARE SOME GREAT INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR, AS WELL.

HE GIVES TIMOTHY THREE THINGS TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO, AND YOU AND I WOULD DO WELL TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEM, TOO.

1. BIND YOURSELF TO THE ESSENTIALS. (VERSE 7A)

a. PAUL INSTRUCTED TIMOTHY TO STAY AWAY FROM TWO THINGS THAT WILL HINDER THE MINISTRY OF ANY CHURCH.

b. IRREVERENT AND SILLY MYTHS

c. IN OTHER WORDS, PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY TO MAKE SURE THAT HE KNEW WHAT HE KNEW.

d. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TODAY THAT ARE LEADING PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS THAT GOD WANTS US TO KNOW.

e. ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH CHURCH ATTENDANCE.

f. THE CONCEPT THAT SEEMS TO BE BECOMING MORE POPULAR TODAY IS WHAT I WOULD CALL “THE LIMITED EXPOSURE CONCEPT”

g. IT’S NOT NEW, IT’S JUST BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD IN THE CHURCH TODAY.

h. THIS IS HOW IT LOOKS.

i. WE HAVE A CULTURE THAT PROMOTES ACTIVITIES THAT ARE RECREATIONAL.

j. AND THE THOUGHT IS THAT RECREATION IS HYPER-THERAPEUTIC

k. SO, THEREFORE, WHATEVER BRINGS PLEASURE INTO OUR LIVES IS VIEWED AS BEING REALLY GOOD FOR US.

l. BUT ALL WE’VE DONE IS TELL PEOPLE, “IT’S O.K. IF YOU ONLY COME TO CHURCH A LITTLE, BECAUSE YOU’RE REALLY DOING GOD A FAVOR, BY EVEN BEING HERE, YOU KNOW BECAUSE YOU’RE SO BUSY”.

m. BUT LET ME GIVE YOU ANOTHER THOUGHT THIS MORNING.

n. WHAT WE’VE PURCHASED WITH THIS LIFESTYLE IS A CULTURE OF CHRISTIANS, I’M TALKING ABOUT CHRISTIANS, THAT HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DEEP, SPIRITUAL ROOTS.

o. AND IF WE’RE EVER GOING TO SEE THE CHURCH BE WHAT IT IS INTENDED TO BE, WE’VE GOT TO PUT DOWN SOME ROOTS.

p. I SEE MORE CHURCHES SWAPPING SHEEP TODAY THAN I EVER HAVE BEFORE.

q. IT TAKES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR US TO GET OFFENDED AND RUN DOWN THE STREET TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL CODDLE US, AND PET US LIKE WE WANT TO BE.

r. BUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH GOD’S PEOPLE IS THAT WE NEED TO STRIKE SOME DEEP ROOTS AND GET INVOLVED.